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Moundville Archaeological Park: Echoes of a Mississippian Chiefdom

Explore ancient Native American history at Moundville Archaeological Park, a preserved Mississippian chiefdom site with mounds, a museum, and nature trails.

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Explore the fascinating Moundville Archaeological Park, a 326-acre site that was once the political and ceremonial center of a powerful Mississippian chiefdom between the 11th and 16th centuries [5, 7]. Discover 29 platform mounds, a museum with stunning artifacts, and a nature trail along the Black Warrior River [5, 11].

A brief summary to Moundville Archaeological Park

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for climbing the mounds and walking the nature trail [6].
  • Visit the Jones Archaeological Museum to see artifacts and learn about the Mississippian culture [6, 7].
  • Bring a picnic to enjoy on the park's spacious lawns or along the Black Warrior River [6, 8].
  • Check the park's website for information on guided tours and special events, such as the Moundville Native American Festival [8].
  • Consider camping at the park's campground for an extended visit [4, 7].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Moundville Archaeological Park is located approximately 13 miles south of Tuscaloosa, Alabama [12, 16]. From Tuscaloosa, take AL-69 South for about 12.5 miles [10]. Turn right (west) onto Mound Parkway and drive 0.4 miles to the Park Entrance Building [7, 10]. Free onsite parking is available [6, 8]. Note that there is no public transportation between Tuscaloosa and Moundville [6, 8].

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Discover more about Moundville Archaeological Park

Moundville Archaeological Park, located on the Black Warrior River near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, preserves the remains of a significant Mississippian culture settlement [5, 7, 12]. From around 1000 AD to 1450 AD, this site served as a major political and ceremonial hub, and at its peak, it was one of the largest cities in North America, north of Mexico [5, 7, 16]. Called “The Big Apple of the 14th Century” by National Geographic, the park encompasses 326 acres with 29 platform mounds arranged around a central plaza [7, 12]. These flat-topped earthen mounds served as platforms for civic and ceremonial structures and the homes of the elite [7, 18]. Visitors can climb the steps of Mound B, the tallest mound, for panoramic views of the plaza and surrounding landscape [6, 8]. The Jones Archaeological Museum displays artifacts unearthed at the site, including pottery, artwork, and ceremonial objects, offering insights into the lives and beliefs of the Mississippian people [6, 7]. Life-size figures dressed in traditional clothing and jewelry provide a glimpse into their culture [6, 7]. A half-mile nature trail winds through the park's woodland, offering scenic views of the mounds and the Black Warrior River [6, 7]. The park also features picnic areas and a campground for visitors who wish to extend their stay [7, 11]. Throughout the grounds, interpretive panels provide details about the different sites [7]. Moundville is not only an archaeological site but also a place of cultural significance for many Southeastern Indigenous tribes who assert an ancestral connection to those who built and occupied the mounds [5, 9]. The park hosts the Moundville Native American Festival each October, celebrating Native American culture and heritage with storytelling, music, dance, and demonstrations [6, 11, 14, 18].

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